This project, involving many community members in North Minneapolis, transformed 32 boulevards where ash trees were being removed into rain gardens with pollinator-friendly native plants. The ash trees were removed in response to the invasive emerald ash borer. Eligible sites — including locations at individual residences, churchyards and community gardens — received a rain garden as long as participants agreed to its long-term maintenance. In addition, more than 25 community members took part in paid sustainable landcare training that will help keep knowledge for future maintenance in the community. Some trainees became a working crew for us during the summer, planting and caring for the gardens. Metro Blooms Design + Build designed and prepped the rain gardens, and our environmental justice advocates led many program elements, including outreach, planting and training. This project resulted in 9,625 sq. ft. of native plant raingardens that provide pollinator habitat and capture 444,000 gallons of stormwater annually.

To learn more about this project and the experiences of some participants, read the final report.